1x 1GB or 2x 512MB ram??

[Tenn]

Im going to buy new ram (ddr). SHould I buy one 1GB or 2 512MB? The problem: I only have 2 sockets and there are already 2x 256MB inside, so I have to change them. Should it be clever to buy 1GB, because the next time I can buy again 1 GB, because of the 2 sockets? Or should I buy me first a new mainboard (I have an onboard graphic card!!) and THEN new ram???

[tChr]

Im going to buy new ram (ddr). SHould I buy one 1GB or 2 512MB? The problem: I only have 2 sockets and there are already 2x 256MB inside, so I have to change them. Should it be clever to buy 1GB, because the next time I can buy again 1 GB, because of the 2 sockets? Or should I buy me first a new mainboard (I have an onboard graphic card!!) and THEN new ram???

Do you use a 32 or 64 bit processor? What kind?

[Charliebrownau]

Im going to buy new ram (ddr). SHould I buy one 1GB or 2 512MB? The problem: I only have 2 sockets and there are already 2x 256MB inside, so I have to change them. Should it be clever to buy 1GB, because the next time I can buy again 1 GB, because of the 2 sockets? Or should I buy me first a new mainboard (I have an onboard graphic card!!) and THEN new ram???

DDR2 and PCI-E Graphic cards are cheaper ...

If your running a older All onboard system keep it for surfing and general lite use and get a brand new system with DDR2 RAM , PCI slots, PCIe slots , onboard sound, onboard gigabit or PCI/PCIx Gigabit network card.

Try to avoid the mobos that support both DDR and DDR2 ram and avoid the mobos with VIA chipset and avoid the mobos with built on video cards.

I would suggest Intel 915 or 925 chipsets for Intel based mobos
(Brands - Intel , Asus, Gigabyte or asrock)

I am not a AMD CPU Fan , but avoid the Via mobo and get Nforce instead.

Get a Nvidia 6600 GT, 6600 Ultra or 6800 PCIE video card , or if your mega rich an 7800 GTX

I am not a ATI Video card fan either , you might want to look at tomshardware for video benchmarks and reviews

Overall bits youll need

* New ATX case (midi/mid) big range of them days, some with bling fans and side windows .

* New mobo with DDR2 RAM support, PCI-X support and PCI-e Support

* I wouldnt lash out for a sound card straight away use onboard sound to start off with.

* Monitor - LCD or CRT unless you have some spare

* Keyboard , mouse , some sata and pata leads , etc

* PCI-E video card

* Dont worry about a floppy drive , their a waste

* DVD Duel layer dvd burner , I recommend the Pioneer burners or asus burners

* Memory , get a mobo with 4 DDR2 ram slots if possible and get 2 x 1 gig of ram or 2 x 512 ram

* HDD - Get sata , dont worry about the raptors , an WD or Maxtor sata 200/250 or 300 with 16 meg cache

[Urmel]

Hey Tenn, even though I know You're young, and probably ain't got the money, I'd give You the advice to buy a new PC with a non-on-board VGA, and be sure the next one won't be that Celeron/Sempron muck.
Buying a VGA, RAM, Mainboard and CPU is almost the same money, and You never can be sure if there won't be more additional stuff You have to invest in. Especially in Germany You can get good machines for few money.

More RAM won't make Your PC much faster, sry. It's just not worth it

[Tenn]

Hey Tenn, even though I know You're young, and probably ain't got the money, I'd give You the advice to buy a new PC with a non-on-board VGA, and be sure the next one won't be that Celeron/Sempron muck.
Buying a VGA, RAM, Mainboard and CPU is almost the same money, and You never can be sure if there won't be more additional stuff You have to invest in. Especially in Germany You can get good machines for few money.

More RAM won't make Your PC much faster, sry. It's just not worth it

Hmm yes, I havent enought money... but I ned more, for 1. games, 2. fireworks & co. and 3.for rendering



My system: AMD Sempron 3100+, a bizzar mainboard, a few usb hubs and the other stuff i dont know, but it works i have bought this nice tower in the internet (not dell) and paid 412€ for it. (The price was good, at the shop i would pay 200€ more for less)


EDIT:
DDR2 and PCI-E Graphic cards are cheaper ...

If your running a older All onboard system keep it for surfing and general lite use and get a brand new system with DDR2 RAM , PCI slots, PCIe slots , onboard sound, onboard gigabit or PCI/PCIx Gigabit network card.

Try to avoid the mobos that support both DDR and DDR2 ram and avoid the mobos with VIA chipset and avoid the mobos with built on video cards.

I would suggest Intel 915 or 925 chipsets for Intel based mobos
(Brands - Intel , Asus, Gigabyte or asrock)

I am not a AMD CPU Fan , but avoid the Via mobo and get Nforce instead.

Get a Nvidia 6600 GT, 6600 Ultra or 6800 PCIE video card , or if your mega rich an 7800 GTX

I am not a ATI Video card fan either , you might want to look at tomshardware for video benchmarks and reviews

Overall bits youll need

* New ATX case (midi/mid) big range of them days, some with bling fans and side windows .

* New mobo with DDR2 RAM support, PCI-X support and PCI-e Support

* I wouldnt lash out for a sound card straight away use onboard sound to start off with.

* Monitor - LCD or CRT unless you have some spare

* Keyboard , mouse , some sata and pata leads , etc

* PCI-E video card

* Dont worry about a floppy drive , their a waste

* DVD Duel layer dvd burner , I recommend the Pioneer burners or asus burners

* Memory , get a mobo with 4 DDR2 ram slots if possible and get 2 x 1 gig of ram or 2 x 512 ram

* HDD - Get sata , dont worry about the raptors , an WD or Maxtor sata 200/250 or 300 with 16 meg cache

[Ed]

Back to the original question here:

It depends. There is only a point in going 2x512Mb instead of 1x1Gb if the memory is specifically dual channel. Not all memory is so just sticking any 2 in (or even 2 matched, but not dual channel) won't help.

Even still 1x1Gb can still be quicker than 2x512Mb dual channel under some circumstances. When overclocking, 2 DIMM's (even dual channel) can often yield lower performance than a single DIMM as there are small differences between the timings of DIMM's.

I use 2x512Mb in dual channel. That's because in my case the FSB is limited by the processor, not the RAM so small timing differences between DIMM's is not important.

[Urmel]

Ye and still I say if You wanna use rendering software, graphics software and games, it's multiple times better investing ya money in a Pentium or Athlon than in RAM.

Not to talk about the neverending stories I had finding RAM modules that don't cause problems, especially when You don't have a board from a named manufacturer like ASUS, Intel, Tyan, MSI or stuff like that.

If You can't spend too much money watch ebay, there's plenty of combined offers with CPU/mainboard/RAM. Some online shops have combinations like that in stock as well.